Karva Chauth 2026: Date, Puja Vidhi, Vrat Katha and How to Find Moonrise Time

Karva Chauth 2026 falls on Thursday, 29 October 2026. The vrat is kept on the Chaturthi of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Kartik. Married women fast from sunrise until they see the moon, praying for their husband's long life and the family's wellbeing.

**Key Takeaways** - Date: Thursday, 29 October 2026 (all major panchangs agree on this day) - The fast runs from sunrise to moonrise, and moonrise varies by city, roughly between 7:30 and 9 pm - Shiva-Parvati, Ganesha and Kartikeya are worshipped, and the karva (clay pot) is the central item - Puja muhurat is printed differently by different panchangs, so rely on the one for your own city

Karva Chauth 2026 Date and Timings

Moonrise differs by city, sometimes by 15 to 45 minutes. The puja muhurat is also printed differently across panchangs. Rather than trusting one website's time, check the panchang for your own city. This site's today's tithi and panchang page shows tithi and sunrise-sunset for your location.

What Is Sargi?

Sargi is the meal eaten before the fast begins, before sunrise. By tradition it is given to the daughter-in-law by her mother-in-law. It usually includes fruit, sweets, dry fruit, feni or parathas, to sustain the day-long waterless fast.

Karva Chauth Puja Vidhi

1. 1.Bathe in the morning and take the sankalp for the vrat.
2. 2.In the evening, prepare the puja thali: karva, diya, roli, rice, sweets, fruit and a sieve.
3. 3.Install an image of Shiva-Parvati, Ganesha and Kartikeya.
4. 4.Fill the karva with water and hold wheat or rice grains in your hand during the katha.
5. 5.Read or listen to the Karva Chauth katha, then perform aarti. The Ganesh aarti and an aarti to Shiva-Parvati are sung during this puja.
6. 6.When the moon rises, look at it through the sieve first and then at your husband, and offer arghya to the moon.
7. 7.The fast is broken by sipping water from your husband's hand and eating a sweet.

The Karva Chauth Vrat Katha (In Brief)

The best-known story is that of Veeravati, the only sister of seven brothers. Keeping Karva Chauth for the first time, she grew weak with hunger. Her brothers could not bear to see her like that and tricked her with an imitation of moonrise. Veeravati broke her fast, and her husband's life was then said to be in danger. According to the story, when she kept the vrat again the next year with full rules and devotion, her husband's life was restored. The lesson usually drawn is that both discipline and devotion matter in a vrat.

Things to Keep in Mind

• Women who are pregnant, unwell or have a health condition can talk to a doctor and the elders of the family about adjusting the fast. Health comes first.
• Keep the thali and sieve ready beforehand so moonrise isn't a rush.
• In some families husbands fast too. That depends on family tradition.

Diwali arrives the following week. To prepare, read Diwali 2026: Date, Lakshmi Puja Muhurat and Puja Vidhi and Kumkum vs Sindoor.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Karva Chauth in 2026?

Karva Chauth 2026 is on Thursday, 29 October 2026. It is the vrat of Kartik Krishna Chaturthi.

When is the Karva Chauth fast broken?

After moonrise. The fast is broken by looking at the moon and then your husband through a sieve, offering arghya to the moon and sipping water from your husband's hand.

What time will the moon rise on Karva Chauth?

Moonrise differs by city, sometimes by 15 to 45 minutes. Check the panchang for your own city to fix the time.

What is sargi?

Sargi is the meal eaten before sunrise as the fast begins, traditionally given to the daughter-in-law by her mother-in-law.